Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

Eastern Europe

Poland Votes Down Winter Games Bid: Slovakia Loses in Turn

Aleksandr Shatskih

A bit of bad news for Poland and Slovakia, a referendum vote from the Polish city of Krakow carried out May 26 tells of citizens in the Polish city wanting to withdraw a bid for the Winter Olympic Games in 2022, part of which was to have taken place in Slovakia.

Sofitel Tirana Palace On the Build

Aleksandr Shatskih

Luxury hotel chain Sofitel announced last week a management agreement for the new Sofitel Tirana Palace in Albania’s capital city. Located just a few kilometers from the city center in Tirana, the hotel is a mix of Greco-Roman architecture and Versailles-like splendor inside.

Russia’s Putin Honors Sergei Mikhalkov

Phil Butler

A monument to the famous Russian poet, writer, publicist and soldier Sergei Mikhalkov was dedicated today by President Vladimir Putin. The unique creative heritage Mikhalkov contributions added significantly to the rich Russian heritage and history.

Art Links – Athens 2014 Arrives in October

Aleksandr Shatskih

Coming to Athens in October, the first annual Art Links international art collective group exhibition connects creatives across artistic genres. Focused on art in the new collective society, this inaugural event is set to kick off 10 – 15 October in Athens, Greece at The Hub Events venue.

Aerosmith Hits St. Petersburg Tuesday

Aleksandr Shatskih

Tuesday at SKK Arean in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation legendary rock and roll group Aerosmith performs in concert.

Greece Earthquake Rattles Aegean Ports [update]

Aleksandr Shatskih

Just before 9:30 GMT this morning a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit eastern Greece just south of Kamariotissa in the Aegean. The quake, reported by the USGS was felt as far away as Palestine.

Albania Tags APCO and StrawberryFrog for Travel PR

Phil Butler

Albania tourism, so negatively impacted by infrastructure and other inhibiting factors, has just hired high powered PR backup. The country is embarking on its largest tourism campaign to date in naming creative agency StrawberryFrog in collaboration with APCO Worldwide, as their agency of record (AOR).

Hellenic Initiative to Honor George D. Behrakis & Others

Aleksandr Shatskih

The Hellenic Initiative (THI) will hold a second annual banquet, “Investing in the Future of Greece” to honor George D. Behrakis, John Pappajohn, and Peter G. Peterson. The nonprofit’s mission, mobilizing investment for Greece, has scheduled the event for October 2nd in New York.

Six Unforgettable Crete Restaurants

Phil Butler

Crete offers a diverse culinary trip for travelers, even though the island’s traditional cuisine is the marque attraction for foodies. While the Mediterranean diet is well known and as healthy as advertised, the Cretan take on healthy eating is actually the oldest and most time honored. Ancient as this cooking tradition is though, fine eateries around the island offer unique twists on age old recipes. Here’s a sampling of superb restaurants of a kind.

Majestic Pics of Crete: Summer 2014

Phil Butler

We love images, and especially those of places we love to visit most. To share a bit of photographic love of Crete, Greece with you, here’s a selection of images from Flickr users we love. Enjoy the Island famous for Filoxenia.

European Coastal Airlines to Serve up Croatian Islands

Aleksandr Shatskih

Croatia has a new airline connectivity service, European Coastal Airlines is starting the first ever hydroplane service in the country. Destined to connect summer beach goers with the country’s wonderful Adriatic destinations, the German-Malaysian owned carrier also announcer online bookings.